Blanket ladder

It was chilly on the prairie this morning! Once the sun was up and the kids were getting ready for school the feels like temperature read 43*! We had turned the furnace before heading to bed last night so in the night I was awakened to the smell of the furnace warming up for the first time of the season. Knowing that cooler weather was rolling in I wanted to geet my latest DIY project finished. We like to use a blanket in the evenings, we can have up to three blankets in use at one time. I have never had our blankets organized but really wanted a ladder to hang them on when not in use.
 Hubby cut the lumber and assembled my ladder and I gave it a coat of dark Walnut stain.

 I wanted the rungs of my ladder attached on top of the side rails, that looks more rustic and reminds me of old ladders going up to the hay loft in old barns. I love the imperfect finish of the deep, dark stain. Natural Oak or Early Americana are my usual go to wood finishs but I am loving the Dark Walnut stain on this piece!

Buffalo plaid blankets are perfect for fall and winter. The 2 red blankets and the printed blanket at the bottom were gifts, I made the black and white blanket. Now we are ready for the crisp nights fall will bring!!
Now that the kids are back in school and baby girls has started Preschool I am hoping to get back into my hobbies!!
Thanks for stopping by~
Until later!

Italian Sausage Sheetpan dinner

We picked up our Zaycon Fresh order last week, boneless, skinless chicken thighs and Italian sausages. We have been using Zaycon for about 5 years now, our first order hubby actually drove to Montana to pick up! We have since bought from them several times, and have tried several different meats. We have been well pleased with everything we have bought from them! The chicken thighs are something we have bought a couple of times before, this was our first time buying the Italian sausage. The chicken thighs were 1.99/lb and Italian Sausage was 2.99/lb which are excellent prices for our area, but they sent a coupon code to myemail which saved us over $21!! 
 If you are not familiar with Zaycon Fresh they are a company that delivers bulk meat (chicken, pork, ground beef, steaks, fish, shrimp lobster...) to your area. You order online and the day of pick up you go to your pickup loacation pull up beside the big truck and they load your order and send you on your way.
Getting back to the Italian sausages- I had recently seen some Sheetpan dinners pop up on my Pinterest feed. I saw several for chicken and veggies but I knew the sausages would work too. Usually when I made Italian sausages I make them like we had them at our county fair back in Ohio, on a bun with cooked onions and green peppers and tomato sauce. This time I wanted to change it up a bit. I surprised hubby when he came home expecting sausage sandwiches (he had even bought the buns LOL) and instead had a lower carb dinner ready for him.
 I lined a large cookie sheet with foil and prepped my vegetables. I peeled and diced 2 sweet potatoes, cored and seeded 2 green peppers and sliced those and a large sweet onion into strips. The sweet potato was placed on my pan first, then the peppers and onions and finally the sausages. I gave everything a light drizzle of Olive oil and sprinkled the veggies with salt and pepper, and added garlic powder to the pepper and onions. Gave things a light toss and put in a 400* oven. At 20 minutes I turned the sausages over and gave the veggies a toss then baked for another 20 minutes, my veggies were tender and the sausages were cooked through. After I pulled the pan from the over I added a little cinnamon to the sweet potatoes. Dinner was a huge hit, I ended up with only about 2 tablespoons of sweet potato left over!

 If you get an opportunity to check out Zaycon Fresh I would highly recommend them!! You can find them here-  https://zayconfresh.com/refer/zf191812 This is my referral link. Become a customer and you can get credit for referrals.
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

Grove Collaborative

 While watching my favorite mommy Youtubber  use cleaning products from Grove Collaborative I knew that was something I needed to check out. Looking through their web site and having a coupon code for free items it didn't take but a minute to load up my shopping cart. Within a few days my cleaning supplies were delivered to my door. GC carries plant based cleaning supplies, personal care and baby/kid items from brands such as Mrs. Meyers, Seventh Generation, Tom's of Maine, Zarbee's and Method as well as Grove Collaborative and many others.
 Since placing that inital order I have purchased products serval times, and I am expecting a shipment today! I find the fresh scents of the products actually make it FUN to clean!! I know, hard to believe but true! Not only do the products smell amazing but they work so well, and no chemical smells! 
 The prices are on pare with what I have found online from other retailers.And did I mention they are delivered?!?!
If you haven't tried Grove Collaborative you can follow this link and get $10 off of your first purchace!!-------> Grove Collaborative
If you are a GC customer let me know what your favorite scent/product is.
#grovecollaborative
#cleaningcanbefun
#naturalcleaners
Thanks for stopping by!
Until later~

March Painted Door Hanger

I love the start of a new month! I get to change out my door hangers! I know, I am silly, but it is fun! For March I chose a 4 leaf clover for good luck.  This was my first time painting a chevron patteren. I decided to use a fancy border and add a huge intial. I added a jute rope for hanging and called it done. I am loving the green in the midst of all the white we have every where, it reminds me that spring will come.....eventually!! Maybe. (The weathermen are predicting up to 19" of snow in the next couple of days!!) I hope you are having sunny, warm days!
Thanks for stopping by!
Until later~

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup

-21* F this morning without the windchill, another sick kiddo- (the third in as many days!!) calls for a good, hot lunch. I had some broccoli I needed to use and the taste for some broccoli cheese soup. Since it takes less than 30 minutes from prep to bowl in the Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese soup is quick enough to make fresh for hubby's lunch. In August my husband changed positions and locations at work. He did have a 40 minute drive and now it is less than 3! For the first time ever he lives close enough that he can come home for lunch. We have had sick kiddos for the past week so today I wanted to make him something extra special for lunch.

 Growing up in Ohio we used to eat at The Barn Restaurant in Smithville, not only do they have THE best salad wagon (an old farm wagon loaded with every salad item you can imagine) but the very best Broccoli Cheese soup with skinny noodles!! Since finding out hubby is diabetic in October we have been watching the carbs, so no noodles today, but still delicious!!

 

Broccoli Cheese Soup in the Instant Pot

2 TBSP butter

1 medium yellow onion, diced

1/2- 1 c. shredded carrot

4 c. chicken broth

1/4 tsp. each of onion and garlic powder

1 c. heavy cream

1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (my family prefers cubed Velveeta)

salt/pepper to taste

1 c. thin egg noodles

On saute melt butter and cook onion until translucent. Add broccoli, carrot, broth, noodles and seasonings. Lock lid, set seal to Sealing, Manual button for 4 minutes. Once the pot beeps do a quick release of pressure. Then stir in the heavy cream and cheese.

The noodles really do take this soup to the next level.
I hope you enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Some days there are just not enough hours!! We live 30 minutes from town so any day we need to head to town causes a struggle for meals. We are currently having lots of appointments in town, a good excuse to use the Crockpot! This week I tried a new recipe, Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup. Chicken Tortilla soup is very popular in our area, but I have never eaten it! My husband and daughter both like it, but I didn't even realize the one they like is cheesy and I made a non-cheesy one. Hubby said the new recipe is now his favorite!! Oldest son is now a fan and I thought it was really good! The jury is still out on oldest daughter! I will say I am not a fan of spicy foods but with the sour cream this soup was not too spicy at all!!
 With temperatures in the single digits this week, it was the perfect time to try a new, easy recipe for some spicy soup!!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 lg boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 packet of Fajita seasoning
1 med. onion, chopped
2 cans Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
1 can Black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup frozen corn
1 bell pepper, your color choice (I used green)
4 cups chicken broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
Tortilla strips or chips, cheese, sour cream, avocado-for topping

Add all but your toppings to slow cooker and mix. Cook on low for 6 hours, then shred the chicken breasts and cook for an additional 20 minutes.
Serve with your favorite toppings.
Leftovers are very good!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Until later~